Code-based authorization of mobile device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for authenticating mobile communications devices. The method comprises: generating a code corresponding to a user configured to be rendered on a rendering device to produce a rendered code, the rendered code being readable by a mobile communications device having a code reading device, the rendered code comprising a secret token; storing the secret token along with information identifying the user on a first storage device; providing the code to the user; receiving, at the authentication server, a setup message from the mobile device, the message includes a device identifier and the secret token; comparing the received secret token and the secret token stored on the first storage device; if the received secret token matches the secret token stored on the first storage device, storing, on a second storage device, information identifying the user and a trusted device value corresponding to the device identifier.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/570,855, filed Aug. 9, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods forauthenticating mobile communications devices. More particularly, thepresent disclosure relates to systems and methods for authenticatingmobile communications devices for websites and web services.

BACKGROUND

When accessing secure websites and web services a user generally isprompted to enter a username and password. Users often access the samewebsites and web services on a variety of computing devices, such as forexample, a personal computer or a mobile communication device, such asfor example, a smart phone.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a methodof authenticating mobile communications devices. The method comprises:generating a code corresponding to a user, the code configured to berendered on a rendering device to produce a rendered code, the renderedcode being readable by a mobile communications device having a codereading device, the rendered code comprising a secret token; storing thesecret token along with information identifying the user on a firststorage device associated with an authentication server; providing thecode to the user; receiving, at the authentication server, at least onesetup message from the mobile communications device, the at least onesetup message comprising a device identifier and the secret token;comparing the received secret token and the secret token stored on thefirst storage device; and if the received secret token matches thesecret token stored on the first storage device, storing, on a secondstorage device associated with the server, information identifying theuser and a trusted device value corresponding to the device identifier.

In some embodiments, the first and second storage devices are the samestorage device. In various embodiments, the first and second storagedevices can be directly or indirectly coupled to the server.

In some embodiments, the setup message also comprises a user name. Insome embodiments, the setup message also comprises a user password. Invarious embodiments, the user name and password are the user name andpassword used by the user to access the web service. For example, theusername and password can be the user name and password used by the userto access the web service on a personal computer. In some embodiments,the method further comprises verifying the user name or the password orboth prior to storing the traduced device value.

In some embodiments, the rendering device can be, for example but is notlimited to, a display device or a printing device.

In some embodiments, the code comprises an identifier of a server forsending the setup message.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises: receiving, at theauthentication server, information pertaining to a request by arequesting mobile communications device for access to a web service, theinformation comprising a requesting device identifier; determiningwhether the requesting device identifier corresponds to the trusteddevice value stored on the storage device; and denying access to the webservice if the requesting device identifier does not correspond to thetrusted device value.

In some embodiments, the authentication server comprises a web serverhosting the web services.

In some embodiments, the web service is accessible to the user through auser ID and a password and the web service is further accessible to themobile device through the requesting device identifier. In other words,in some embodiments, the device identifier is used in place of orinstead of the user name and password to gain access to the web servicethrough the mobile device.

In various embodiments, determining whether the requesting deviceidentifier corresponds to trusted device value comprises determiningwhether the requesting device identifier comprises the device identifierencrypted with the secret token, and the method further comprises:denying access to the web service if the requesting device identifierdoes not comprise the device identifier encrypted with the secret token.

In various embodiments, the method further comprises encrypting thedevice identifier with the secret token to generate an encrypted deviceidentifier. In some embodiments, the determination is made by comparingthe encrypted device identifier with the trusted device value.

In various embodiments, the trusted device value corresponding to thedevice identifier stored on the storage device comprises the encrypteddevice identifier.

In various embodiments, the secret token is associated with an expirytime and the method further comprises: upon receiving the setup message,determining if the expiry time has been exceeded; and denying access tothe web service if the expiry time has been exceeded.

In some embodiments, access to the web service is denied if the expirytime is exceeded prior to receiving the at least one setup message.

In various embodiments, the identifier comprises mobile device metadata.

In various embodiments, the code can be, but is not limited to a QuickResponse (QR) code or a barcode.

In another aspect, some embodiments described herein relate to a systemfor authenticating mobile communications devices, the system comprising:a first storage device; a second storage device; and a processor, theprocessor configured to: generate a code corresponding to a user, thecode configured to be rendered on a rendering device to produce arendered code, the rendered code being readable by a mobilecommunications device having a code reading device, the rendered codecomprising a secret token; store the secret token along with informationidentifying the user on a first storage device associated with anauthentication server; transmit the code to a computing device; receiveat least one setup message from a mobile communications device, the atleast one setup message comprising a device identifier and the secrettoken; compare the received secret token and the secret token stored onthe first storage device; and if the received secret token matches thesecret token stored on the first storage device the, store, on thestorage device, information identifying the user and a trusted devicevalue corresponding to the device identifier.

In some embodiments, the first and second storage devices are the samestorage device. In various embodiments, the first and second storagedevices can be directly or indirectly coupled to the server.

In some embodiments, the setup message also comprises a user name. Insome embodiments, the setup message also comprises a user password. Invarious embodiments, the user name and password are the user name andpassword used by the user to access the web service. For example, theusername and password can be the user name and password used by the userto access the web service on a personal computer. In some embodiments,the processor is further configured to verify the user name or thepassword or both prior to storing the traduced device value.

In some embodiments, the rendering device can be, for example, but isnot limited to, a display device or a printing device.

In some embodiments, the code comprises an identifier of a server forsending the setup message.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to: receiveinformation pertaining to a request by a requesting mobilecommunications device for access to a web service, the informationcomprising a requesting device identifier; determine whether therequesting device identifier corresponds to the trusted device valuestored on the storage device; and deny access to the web service if therequesting device identifier does not correspond to the trusted devicevalue.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to: deny accessto the web service if the requesting device identifier does not comprisethe device identifier.

In various embodiments, the processor is further configured to: transmitthe result of the determination step to a web server hosting the webservice.

In some embodiments, the web service is accessible to the user through auser ID and a password; and wherein the web service is furtheraccessible to the mobile device through the requesting deviceidentifier. In other words, in some embodiments, the device identifieris used in place of or instead of the user name and password to gainaccess to the web service through the mobile device.

In various embodiments, the requesting device identifier corresponds totrusted device value comprises determining whether the requesting deviceidentifier comprises the device identifier encrypted with the secrettoken.

In some embodiments, the trusted device value corresponding to thedevice identifier stored on the storage device comprises the encrypteddevice identifier.

In various embodiments, the secret token is associated with an expirytime; and the processor is further configured to: upon receiving thesetup message, determine if the expiry time has been exceeded; and denyaccess to the web service if the expiry time has been exceeded.

In some embodiments, access to the web service is denied if the expirytime is exceeded prior to receiving the at least one setup message.

In various embodiments, the identifier comprises mobile device metadata.

In various embodiments, the code can be, but is not limited to a QuickResponse (QR) code or a barcode.

In another aspect, embodiments described herein relate to anon-transitory machine-readable memory storing statements andinstructions for execution by a processor for implementing a method ofauthenticating mobile communications devices. The method comprises:generating a code corresponding to a user, the code configured to berendered on a rendering device to produce a rendered code, the renderedcode being readable by a mobile communications device having a codereading device, the rendered code comprising a secret token; storing thesecret token along with information identifying the user on a firststorage device associated with an authentication server; providing thecode to the user; receiving, at the authentication server, at least onesetup message from the mobile communications device, the at least onesetup message comprising a device identifier and the secret token;comparing the received secret token and the secret token stored on thefirst storage device; and if the received secret token matches thesecret token stored on the first storage device, storing, on a secondstorage device associated with the server, information identifying theuser and a trusted device value corresponding to the device identifier.

Other aspects and features of the present disclosure will becomeapparent to those of ordinarily skill in the art upon review of thefollowing description of specific embodiments in conjunction with theaccompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the attached Figures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an authentication system according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart diagram of a method of authorizing a mobilecommunication device, according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram of a method of authenticating a trusteddevice, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the present disclosure provides a method and system forauthorizing a mobile communication device as a trusted device for accessto a secure web service using a readable code. The term “web service” asused herein can refer to, for example, but is not limited to, anysuitable web service, website, web application or web portal. As usedherein the term “secure web service” is used to denote a web servicethat limits access to authorized users through, for example, but notlimited to, the use of usernames, passwords, tokens or a combinationthereof.

In various embodiments, the user is provided with a readable code forauthorizing the device and, in some embodiments, the code is generatedin response to a request from the user, which may be submitted to anauthentication system. The code is read by, for example, using a codereading device that may be included or coupled to the mobilecommunications device that they wish to authorize as a trusted device.In various embodiments disclosed herein, the code includes instructionsthat are to be executed by the mobile device in order to become atrusted device. Accordingly, after the code is read by mobilecommunications device, the mobile communications device executes variousfunctions based on information provided by the code in order to become atrusted device.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a block diagram ofauthentication system 10, according to various embodiments.Authentication system 10 comprises an authentication server 12.Authentication server 12 comprises a storage device 14, and a processor16. Storage device 14 can be any appropriate storage device such as, forexample, but not limited to, a solid-state device, a magnetic storagedevice, and optical storage device or combinations thereof, including,but not limited to, a hard disk drive and a flash drive. In someembodiments, authentication server 12 comprises an internet server.

Authentication server 12, in various embodiments, is used to, forexample, authenticate a mobile communication device 50 for access to aweb service hosted by Web server 18. Web server 18 can be anyappropriate Web server that hosts a website or a web service. In variousembodiments, web server 18 requires authentication for access to the webservice or website hosted by it. In some embodiments, authenticationserver 12 is coupled to Web server 18 through any appropriatecommunication link, such as, for example, one or more networks, such as,for example, the Internet. In other embodiments, web server 18 andauthentication server 12 are separate. In some embodiments,authentication server 12 comprises web server 18. In some embodiments,web server 18 comprises an internet server.

In various embodiments, mobile communication device 50 can be anysuitable mobile communication device, such as, for example, but notlimited to, a smart phone or a tablet computer. In various embodiments,mobile communication device 50 comprises a code reading device 52. Insome embodiments, code reading device 52 is a digital camera. In someembodiments, mobile communication device 50 includes a program tointerpret a code read by code reading device 52.

Authentication server 12 is coupled to a computing device 60 through anyappropriate communication link, such as for example, one or morenetworks, such as for example, but not limited to, the Internet, acellular network, and a combination thereof. Computing device 60 can beany appropriate computing device, such as, for example, but not limitedto, an internet server, a personal computer, a laptop computer, and atablet computer. In various embodiments, computing device 60 comprisesor is coupled, possibly through one or more networks, to a renderingdevice 62 such as, for example, but not limited to, a display device ora printing device. The display device can be any appropriate displaydevice, including, but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD),cathode ray tube (CRT) display, and a television. The printing devicecan be for example, but is not limited to, an inkjet printer, a laserprinter, a photocopier, or a fax machine. In some embodiments,authentication server 12 may communicate with a standalone renderingdevice such as, but not limited to, a fax machine without an interveningcomputing device 60.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a flowchart diagramillustrating a method of authorizing a mobile communication device,according to various embodiments.

At 202, authentication server 12 receives the request for authorizing amobile communication device to become a trusted device for access to aweb service. This request may be generated in any suitable manner. Forexample, in some embodiments, the user of the mobile communicationdevice logs into a secure website (e.g. using a computing device 60)where the request is generated.

At 204, authentication server 12 generates a code. In variousembodiments, authentication server 12 generates computer readableinstructions that can be used to instruct a computing device, such ascomputing device 60, to render the code in a format that is readable bycode reading device 52. In various embodiments, the code includes asecret token, which may be for example a globally unique identifier(GUID), such as for example but not limited to a unique string ofcharacters (including, but not limited to, letters or numbers or both).In some embodiments, the code also includes one or more Uniform ResourceLocators (URLs). In some embodiments, the URL is used to designate anaddress from which mobile communications device 50 can obtaininstructions and/or information for use in the method. In someembodiments, the URL designates an address of a device (e.g.authentication server 12) to which mobile communication device 50 cansend a set up message. In some embodiments, the code is also associatedwith an expiry time. In some embodiments, the expiry time is included inthe code. In some embodiments, the expiry time is recorded together withthe secret token associated with the code at a storage device associatedwith authentication server 12, when the code is generated such as forexample storage device 14. In some embodiments, this is achieved by 1)logging an expiry time on the server, including a timestamp ofgeneration in the code; and 2) logging a timestamp of generation on theserver-side, and having a server-side setting for expiry (so at the timeof a web service call, the server compares the generation time to thecurrent time including the “setting” for expiry length to establish ifthe code is still valid).

At 206, the code is provided to the user. In some embodiments, this isaccomplished by transmitting computer readable instructions forrendering the code from authentication server 12 to computing device 60.In other embodiments, authentication server 12 may directly orindirectly communicate with a rendering device 62, such as, for example,but not limited to, a fax machine.

At 208, the code is rendered. In some embodiments, this is accomplishedby computing device 60 rendering the code using rendering device 62 toproduce a rendered code that is readable by code reading device 52. Forexample, in some embodiments, rendering can include displaying the codeon the display of computing device 60. In other embodiments, renderingcan include printing the code on paper using a printer, that may, forexample, be coupled to computing device 60 either directly or throughone or more networks. In various embodiments, the rendered code canappear in any readable format including, but not limited to, as a QRcode or a bar code.

At 210, the rendered code is read by code reading device 52. In variousembodiments, code reading device 52 comprises the camera of mobiledevice 50. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the user of mobile device50, the user reads the code by using the code reading device to“visualize” the rendered code . As used herein, the term “visualize” canmean that the camera captures an image for the purposes of processingthe code. However, this does not require that a picture be taken in thetraditional sense as when an image is persistently stored on a disk. Asmentioned above, in various embodiments, mobile device 50 includes logic(e.g. software and/or hardware) to interpret the code.

At 212, based on the read code, communications device 50 stores thesecret token that is included in the code on the local storage device ofmobile communications device 50. In some embodiments, the code includesa URL of an address from which mobile communications device 50 canobtain instructions and/or information. In some embodiments, the secrettoken is provided by the device identified by the URL. Accordingly, insome embodiments, if an item is said to be “included in the code” thatcan mean that the item is not actually present in the code but a way ofobtaining the item is provided in the code. In other embodiments, thesecret token is actually included in the code.

At 214, mobile communications device 50 transmits a setup message basedon the read code. In some embodiments, the code includes instructionsand/or information for how and where to send the code. In otherembodiments, the software on mobile communications device 50 ishard-coded to use a specific web server, or URL, or location to send thesecret code. Accordingly, in some embodiments, this technology can beused as a component of software and can be locked to a specificauthentication server or service. In some embodiments, the setup messageis transmitted to web server 18. In other embodiments, the set upmessage is transmitted to authentication server 12. In some embodiments,the set up message includes a unique identifier (UID) of mobilecommunication device 50. In various embodiments, the unique identifieris a globally unique identifier of the device and can include, forexample, but is not limited to, an identifier generated based on devicemetadata or a unique identifier associated with the device including butnot limited to any universally unique identifier (UUID), anInternational Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), or a Media AccessControl (MAC) address. In some embodiments, the set up message alsoincludes the secret token. In some embodiments where the code includesan expiry time, if the expiry time has lapsed, then mobile communicationdevice 50 does not generate a set up message and the method ends suchthat mobile communications device does not become a trusted device forthe web service unless further action is taken such as repeating themethod with a valid code. In other embodiments, as described in greaterdetail below, the server 12 determines if the code has expired and ifso, rejects it. In some such embodiments, the code may not have anyexpiry data or timestamp with it, and is simply tied to a secret code onthe server side (which can be produced at the time the code wasgenerated). In various embodiments, the setup message is encrypted.

At 216, the set up message is received by either authentication server12 or web server 18. The setup message is used to link the uniqueidentifier with the username and password used by the user to access theweb service hosted by web server 18. In some embodiments where the setupmessage is received by web server 18, web server 18 forwards the setupmessage or a portion thereof to authentication server 12. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, the set up message itself or thepayload of the set up message (e.g. the secret token and the UID) can beencrypted in any suitable manner. In some embodiments, the set upmessage also includes information identifying the user (e.g. usernameand/or password). In other embodiments, the set up message does notinclude separate user identifying information, such as the username. Insome such embodiments, the token is generated for and is uniquelyassociated with a specific user. This association is recorded serverside at the time of generation (as described below in relation to 218)and therefore upon receipt of the token the server is able to identifythe specific user. In some embodiments, for greater security, theusername and password are transmitted (e.g. the user to enter thisinformation before the setup message is transmitted) despite the uniqueassociation between a secret token and user. This may be done, forexample, to prevent a different individual from making use of the codeto gain access to the user's account.

At 218, the UID and secret token are stored on storage device 14 alongwith information identifying the user such that the UID is tied to theuser's account for the web service. In some embodiments, the uniqueidentifier and secret token are stored on a storage device 14.

Once mobile communication device 50 has been authorized, it can bereferred to as a trusted device.

In some embodiments where an expiry date is used, at some point prior toauthorizing a device and storing the information at 218, authenticationserver 12 determines whether the expiry time associated with the codehas lapsed. In some embodiments, when the code is generated,authentication server 12 stores the token along with the expiry time.When a setup message including the token is received, the associatedexpiry time is checked to ensure it has not lapsed. In some embodiments,if the expiry time has lapsed, authentication server 12 does not storethe information and the mobile communications device 50 does not becomea trusted device for the web service unless further action is taken suchas repeating the method with a valid code.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a flowchart diagramof a method of authenticating a trusted device, according to variousembodiments.

At 302, mobile communications device 50 sends a request for access tothe web service hosted by Web server 18. In some embodiments, as part ofthe request, mobile communications device 50 transmits any suitableinformation for the purpose of authenticating the device. In someembodiments, mobile communications device 50 sends the unique identifieralong with an encrypted unique identifier. In some embodiments, theencrypted unique identifier is encrypted using the secret token as anencryption key. In some embodiments, the message is encrypted by mobilecommunications device 50 prior to transmitting the message. In otherwords, in some embodiments the unique identifier and the encryptedunique identifier are further encrypted and transmitted as part of therequest for access.

At 304, the request is received by web server 18. In some embodiments,web server 18 transmits a portion of the request to authenticationserver 12 for authentication based on the stored information on storagedevice 14.

At 306, authentication server 12 compares the information received frommobile communications device 50 with the information stored on storagedevice 14 for that user.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, storage device 14 stores theencrypted unique identifier, which is encrypted using the secret tokenas an encryption key. In some such embodiments, the encrypted uniqueidentifier is not decrypted. Instead, encryption is used and therebygreater security can be provided. In some such embodiments, theencrypted unique identifier provided by mobile device 50 is compared tothe encrypted unique identifier stored on storage device 14.

In other embodiments, the secret token is stored on storage device 14and the authentication server decrypts the encrypted unique identifierand compares it to the unique identifier stored for the user of mobilecommunications device 50.

At 308, based on the results of the comparison, it is determined whetheror not to grant access to the requesting mobile communications device50. In some embodiments, the determination is made by authenticationserver 12. In other embodiments, the results of the comparison aretransmitted to web server 18, which then determines whether or not togrant access.

In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, numerousdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the artthat these specific details are not required. In other instances,well-known electrical structures and circuits are shown in block diagramform in order not to obscure the understanding. For example, specificdetails are not provided as to whether the embodiments described hereinare implemented as a software routine, hardware circuit, firmware, or acombination thereof.

Some embodiments of the disclosure can be represented as a computerprogram product stored in a machine-readable medium (also referred to asa computer-readable medium, a processor-readable medium, or a computerusable medium having a computer-readable program code embodied therein).The machine-readable medium can be any suitable tangible, non-transitorymedium, including magnetic, optical, or electrical storage deviceincluding a diskette, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), memorydevice (volatile or non-volatile), or similar storage mechanism. Themachine-readable medium can contain various sets of instructions, codesequences, configuration information, or other data, which, whenexecuted, cause a processor to perform steps in a method according to anembodiment of the disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that other instructions and operations necessary to implementthe described implementations can also be stored on the machine-readablemedium. The instructions stored on the machine-readable medium can beexecuted by a processor or other suitable processing device, and caninterface with circuitry to perform the described tasks. Theabove-described embodiments are intended to be examples only.Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to theparticular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departingfrom the scope, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of authenticating a mobilecommunications device for access to secure web services, the methodcomprising: storing a credential associated with information identifyinga user on a first storage device associated with an authenticationserver; generating, at the authentication server, a Quick Response (QR)code corresponding to a user and comprising the credential; providingthe QR code for rendering in a form that is readable by an electronicdevice having a code reading device; and receiving, at theauthentication server, at least one authentication message from anelectronic device used by the user, the at least one authenticationmessage comprising the credential and authentication information.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the authentication information comprisesinformation identifying the user associated with the credential.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the authentication information furthercomprises a password associated with the user.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: authenticating, by the authentication server, theuser based on one or more of the credential and the authenticationinformation included in the at least one authentication message.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the authentication information comprises oneor more of information identifying the user associated with thecredential, and a password associated with the user, and wherein theauthenticating of the user comprises: authenticating, by theauthentication server, the user using one or more of the credential, theinformation identifying the user associated with the credential, and thepassword associated with the user.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein theauthenticating of the user further comprises: determining, by theauthentication server, whether the credential and the authenticationinformation included in the at least one authentication message matchesthe information identifying the user and the credential associated withinformation identifying the user that is stored on the first storagedevice associated with the authentication server.
 7. The method of claim6, in response to determining that the credential and the authenticationinformation included in the at least one authentication message matchesthe information identifying the user and the credential associated withinformation identifying the user that is stored on the first storagedevice associated with the authentication server, storing, on a secondstorage device associated with the authentication server, informationidentifying the user and a trusted electronic device value correspondingto an electronic device identifier that is transmitted in the at leastone authentication message.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising: receiving, at the authentication server, informationpertaining to a request by a requesting electronic device for access toa web service, the information comprising a requesting electronic deviceidentifier; determining whether the requesting electronic deviceidentifier corresponds to the trusted electronic device value stored onthe second storage device; and denying access to the web service if therequesting electronic device identifier does not correspond to thetrusted electronic device value.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theQR code comprises an identifier of a server for sending the at least oneauthentication message.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the providingthe QR code for rendering comprises one or more of: displaying the QRcode on a display unit; and reproducing the QR code on a readablemedium.
 11. A system for authenticating a mobile communications devicefor access to secure web services, the system comprising: anauthentication server; a first storage device associated with theauthentication server; and a second storage device associated with theauthentication server, the authentication server comprising at least oneprocessor, the at least one processor configured to: store a credentialassociated with information identifying a user on the first storagedevice associated with the authentication server; generate a QuickResponse (QR) code corresponding to a user and comprising thecredential; providing the QR code for rendering in a form that isreadable by an electronic device having a code reading device; andreceive at least one authentication message from an electronic deviceused by the user, the at least one authentication message comprising thecredential and authentication information.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the authentication information comprises information identifyingthe user associated with the credential.
 13. The system of claim 12,wherein the authentication information further comprises a passwordassociated with the user.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the atleast one processor is further configured to: authenticate the userbased on one or more of the credential and the authenticationinformation included in the at least one authentication message.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the authentication information comprises oneor more of information identifying the user associated with thecredential, and a password associated with the user, and wherein the atleast one processor is further configured to authenticate the user usingone or more of the credential, the information identifying the userassociated with the credential, and the password associated with theuser.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor isfurther configured to determine whether the credential and theauthentication information included in the at least one authenticationmessage matches the information identifying the user and the credentialassociated with information identifying the user that is stored on thefirst storage device associated with the authentication server.
 17. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to, in response to determining that the credential and theauthentication information included in the at least one authenticationmessage matches the information identifying the user and the credentialassociated with information identifying the user that is stored on thefirst storage device associated with the authentication server, store,on the second storage device associated with the authentication server,information identifying the user and a trusted electronic device valuecorresponding to an electronic device identifier that is transmitted inthe at least one authentication message.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receiveinformation pertaining to a request by a requesting electronic devicefor access to a web service, the information comprising a requestingelectronic device identifier, determine whether the requestingelectronic device identifier corresponds to the trusted electronicdevice value stored on the second storage device, and deny access to theweb service if the requesting electronic device identifier does notcorrespond to the trusted electronic device value.
 19. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the QR code comprises an identifier of a server forsending the at least one authentication message.
 20. The system of claim11, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to providethe QR code for rendering by at least one of: displaying the QR code ona display unit, and reproducing the QR code on a readable medium.